Irwin Mitchell Top Of The Yorkshire Legal Charts

Yorkshire based Irwin Mitchell has cemented its place as a leading national law firm, securing the number one ranking in five areas of law in the Legal 500; an independent guide published today.

The firm retained its longstanding ranking as the leading law firm in personal injury and clinical negligence and also secured the top grade for its employment and private client services in Sheffield. In the Crime, Fraud and Licensing section Irwin Mitchell has moved up to take top spot in 2010. In total, 28 individuals in Yorkshire were named and recommended.

John Pickering said: "This is another strong performance by Irwin Mitchell which reflects the hard work put in recent years by our teams on behalf of the most important people of all – our clients.

"Our focus has always been – and always will be – on delivering quality service and expertise to all of our clients across a broad range of legal services. That has kept us at the forefront of the industry and we believe it will help us meet the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for all law firms in the coming years.

"The last financial year has not been an easy one for any business and the climate remains tough looking ahead. However, we continue to be in a very strong position and are well placed to continue growing as a business.”

Rankings

The Personal Injury team was praised for its "highly committed and extremely able lawyers" and the firm has won the Rehabilitation Initiative of the Year award for the third year in a row.

Andrew Tucker heads the Sheffield team with Jane Wright leading the Leeds group. National Managing partner John Pickering is recommended as vastly experienced and David Urpeth is named for "going the extra mile for clients".

The clinical negligence team is described as a major force nationally with Sheffield-based David Body recommended. Rachelle Mahapatra is the leading individual in Leeds, and is regarded as "exceptional, with the support of a great team". Mahapatra has won numerous multimillion-pound awards for clients with cerebral palsy.

On the business and private client side of the business Irwin Mitchell takes top spot in Sheffield for Employment, Crime and Family Law.

Sheffield based Martin Loxley heads Irwin Mitchell's family team nationally, which is particularly renowned for advising on high-value divorce and financial provision. It increasingly receives instructions on complex cases with international dimensions, and is seeing more collaborative matters. Peter Morris is recommended in Leeds.

Irwin Mitchell's crime team is headed by Paul Haycock, who is "incredibly hardworking and brings out the best in people". The firm has also recruited renowned fraud expert Dan Stowers who is named as an invaluable addition to the team which has moved up to number one.

The corporate practice headed up by Kevin Cunningham has moved up the rankings for 2010. Cunningham, James Bullock and associate Emma Garth are recognized as the team was nominated for a string of awards in South Yorkshire for the second year running.

Leeds Corporate partners Paul Johnson and Simon Cuerden are praised for their understanding of corporate law and their technical ability while Nick Bates, the national head of Commercial Litigation for the firm, is also recommended.

In the Insolvency and Corporate Recovery sector Irwin Mitchell is credited with gaining traction in the market as a first-class regional player. Andrew Walker and Julie Atkinson are both recommended.

Andrew Lockley and Yogi Amin are also praised for their national public law, education and healthcare work which included successfully challenging limitation rules in a case referred to the European Court.

Irwin Mitchell's Property team is described as "first-class, provides excellent legal advice at all levels". The group was appointed to Santander's national property finance panel with John Flathers (Leeds) and Kevin Docherty (Sheffield) recommended.

Other Yorkshire partners recommended in the Legal 500 include Louise Sykes in the Wills Trusts and Estates Disputes team, Nigel Bolton, Pensions, Michael Longden and Laurence Gavin in the Charities and Public Sector teams, Danny Revitt for Property Litigation, and Joanne Bone, Intellectual Property.